Abstract
Based on the classic work of Georg Simmel on dyadic intimacy and dependency and more recent work on self-disclosure, this study uses subjective accounts to compare same-sex dyadic friendships. Past research has neglected the important dimension of content. Thus, a major purpose was to specify three content levels of communication — topical, relational, and personal — and to determine sex differences in the range and primacy of these levels. In addition, seven interactional factors were identified: spontaneous communication, trust, nonverbal communication, dependency, shared value systems, conflict, and competition for power. The data reveal that women relate on all three levels, while men relate primarily on the topical level. Overall findings on the seven interactional factors reveal high congruence with traditional gender stereotypes. A serendipitous finding for both male and female dyads is that a particular individual is of less importance than a particular type of friendship. This suggests that friendship in modern society may be more tenuous than Simmel contended.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, B. Kinship in an urban setting. Chicago: Markham, 1968.
Argyle, M., & Dean, J. Eye contact, distance, and affiliation. Sociometry, 1965, 28, 289–304.
Aries, E. Male-female interpersonal styles in all male, all female and mixed groups. In A. G. Sargent (Ed.), Beyond sex roles. New York: West, 1976.
Booth, A. Sex and social participation. American Sociological Review, 1972, 37, 183–192.
Certner, B. C. The exchange of self-disclosure in same-sex and heterosexual groups of strangers. Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 1970.
Cozby, P. Self-disclosure: A literature review. Psychological Bulletin, 1973, 79, 73–91.
Davidson, L. R. Medical immunity? Male ideology and the profession of medicine. Women and Health, 1978, 3, 3–10.
Davidson, L. R. Pressures and pretense: Living with gender stereotypes. Sex Roles, 1981, 7, 331–347.
Derlega, V. J., & Chaikin, A. L. Norms affecting self-disclosure in men and women. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1976, 44, 376–380.
Derlega, V. J., & Chaikin, A. L. Privacy and self-disclosure in social relationships. Journal of Social Issues, 1977, 33, 102–115.
Douvan, E., & Adelson, J. The adolescent experience. New York: Wiley, 1966.
Duncan, S. Nonverbal communication. Psychological Bulletin, 1961, 72, 118–137.
Exline, R., Gray, D., & Schuette, D. Visual behavior in a dyad as affected by interview content and sex of respondent. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1965, 1, 201–209.
Hollander, E. P., & Marcia, J. Parental determinants of peer orientation and self-orientations among preadolescents. Developmental Psychology, 1970, 2, 292–302.
Jourard, S. M. The transparent self (2nd ed.) Princeton: Van Nostrand, 1971. (a)
Jourard, S. M. Self-disclosure: An experimental analysis of the transparent self. New York: Wiley, 1971. (b)
Jourard, S. M., & Lasakow, P. Some factors in self-disclosure. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1958, 56, 91–98.
Komarovsky, M. Patterns of self-disclosure of male undergraduates. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 1974, 36, 677–686.
Komarovsky, M. Dilemmas of masculinity: A study of college youth. New York: Norton, 1976.
Lewis, R. A. Emotional intimacy among men. Journal of Social Issues, 1978, 34, 108–121.
Maccoby, E. E., & Jacklin, C. N. The psychology of sex differences. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1974.
Mehrabian, A. Verbal and nonverbal interaction of strangers in a waiting situation. Journal of Experimental Research and Personality, 1971, 5, 127–138.
Millet, K. The shame is over. Ms., 1975, 1, January 26–29.
Morgan, B. S. Intimacy of disclosure topics and sex differences in self-disclosure. Sex Roles, 1976, 2, 161–166.
Olstad, K. Brave new men: A basis for discussion. In J. Petras (Ed.), Sex: male/Gender: masculine. Port Washington, N. Y.: Alfred, 1975.
Pleck, J. Male-male friendships: Is brotherhood possible? In N. Glazer-Malbin (Ed.), Old family/new family: Interpersonal relationships. New York: Van Nostrand, 1975.
Powers, E., & Bultena, G. Sex differences in intimate friendships of old age. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 1976, 38, 739–747.
Scheflen, A. Body language and the social order. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1972.
Seiden, A. M., & Bart, P. B. Woman to woman: Is sisterhood possible? In N. Glazer-Malbin (Ed.), Old family/new family: Interpersonal relationships. New York: Van Nostrand, 1975.
Smith-Rosenberg, C. The female world of love and ritual: Relations between women in nineteeth century America. Signs, 1975, 1, 1–30.
Stein, P. On same-sex and cross-sex friendships. Paper presented at the meeting of the National Council of Family Relations, New York, 1976.
Thorne, B., & Henley, N. Sex differences in language, speech, and nonverbal communication: An annotated bibliography. In B. Thorne & N. Henley (Eds.), Language and sex: Differences in dominance. Rowley, Mass.: Newbury House, 1976.
U.S. Bureau of the Census. Methodology and scores of socioeconomic status. Working paper #15. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1963.
Weitz, S. Sex differences in nonverbal communication. Sex Roles, 1976, 2, 175–184.
Wilmot, W. W. Dyadic communication: A transactional perspective. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1975.
Wolff, K. H. The sociology of Georg Simmel. Glencoe, III.: Free Press, 1950.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Kidder, Peabody, & Co.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Davidson, L.R., Duberman, L. Friendship: Communication and interactional patterns in same-sex dyads. Sex Roles 8, 809–822 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287852
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287852